- Authors: David Friend, Alan R. Pearlman, Thomas D. Piggott
- ASIN : B0006CEUL2
- Publisher: H. Leonard Pub. Corp;
- Published: 1st edition (January 1, 1974)
- Language: English Paperback : 213 pages
This book is a pretty and thorough introduction in the use of the ARP Odyssey synthesizer. On top of that the book demonstrates a lot of applications of (analog) synthesizers in general, using the several building block. The book is not really an (introduction to) learning music, but it shows some great examples of musical schemes and how to use a synthesizer to perform them.
Below the description and cover images you’ll find the full pdf file with the (scanned) contents of this book.
This is what this book states: “This text is designed to serve as an introduction to electronic music synthesis. The experimental sections of the book are based on use of the ARP Odyssey synthesizer, although the theory and techniques can generally be applied to any synthesizer.”
- Part I covers the basic theory needed for understanding sound synthesis, and many new terms are presented and explained. These terms are the language of synthesizers and should be understood by those wishing to expand their musical experiences through synthesizers.
- Part II is a “hands-on” approach to mastering the ARP Odyssey synthesizer. More terminology is presented and explained, and the experiments and exercises always relate to the theory presented in Part I of the text. The practical understanding of the operation of the synthesizer gained through studying this part of the text will quickly enable anyone to learn how to operate nearly any synthesizer.
- Part III of the text ties this newly mastered instrument into the framework of traditional musical concepts. The synthesizer is a remarkably versatile and flexible tool for the musician, and this part of the book explains how the synthesizer can be used to demonstrate and reinforce many basic concepts in music and sound.
The material presented in this book will be best understood if the three major parts of this book are studied in the order presented. And although there is no substitute for practical experience with a synthesizer, it is possible to gain a good basic understanding of electronic music production by studying the many detailed diagrams in this book. The synthesizer represents a major evolutionary step in music and music education. It adapts so well to such a wide variety of applications that its usefulness is limited only by one’s imagination. In this book we have offered the tools necessary to begin exploring and enjoying the new capabilities of electronic music and synthesizers. The authors would like to express their thanks to Dave Fredericks of ARP Instruments, Inc., and to Gary Meisner and Dick Peck of Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation for their invaluable assistance in writing this book, and to Vivian Hutchins,’ editor, and Margaret Shepherd for art direction.
Note: the cover images above show the differences in the editions that have been published.